Honor Liberty Medal for Veteran

Senate Resolution No. 2188 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMENDING John C. Simonik, Sr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend John C. Simonik, Sr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, John Charles Simonik, Sr. was born to Catherine (Fimonick) and Wallace M. Simonik on June 21, 1925, in Plainville, Connecticut; he and his family moved to upstate New York, where he attended Troy City Schools; and WHEREAS, After graduating, John C. Simonik, Sr. worked for Behr-Manning Co. before enlisting in the United States Army on October

10, 1943, at Camp Upton, New York; he proudly served his country as a Light Mortar Crewman with the 351st Infantry, 88th Infantry Division in the Rome Arno Campaign, the North Apennines Campaign and the Po Valley Campaign during World War II; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Second World War, John C. Simonik, Sr. was awarded the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster after being wounded twice during his time in service; once at Mount Grande and then again at Castel del Rio; he was also the recipient of the European-African-Middle-Eastern Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and World War II Victory Medal; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service on November 7,

1945, John C. Simonik, Sr. returned to his hometown, and has worked as an equipment operator with Niagara-Mohawk Power Corporation for 36 years; and WHEREAS, On May 1, 1948, John C. Simonik, Sr. married the former Joyce Ann Wentzel-Simonik, and together, they raised two sons, John Charles, Jr. and Joseph Francis; he was also the loving grandfather of two grandchildren, Joseph Francis and Stephanie; and WHEREAS, Active in his community, John C. Simonik, Sr. was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Troy, and a vital member of the 25 Year Club of Niagara Mohawk, the North Greenbush Post, American Legion and the Geerholt-Rehm Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Wynantskill; and WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, John C. Simonik, Sr. demonstrated his love for his country and merits forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend John C. Simonik, Sr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of John C. Simonik, Sr.